December 12, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

A Hum of Peace

By Michael Ray

 

On the afternoon of Saturday March 17, Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean hosted an “Accordion Fold Book + Pockets” workshop led by artist-in-residence Debra Disman. Participants of the workshop learned the step-by-step process of how-to create concertina books by using a combination of hand tools, glues, papers, boards, and ribbons. Disman stated that in using “the form of the book, you can teach anything.”

The participants of the workshop worked with a hum of peace, as they pieced together the components of their books. Susan Shankin, a graphic designer and Venice resident attended the workshop with her sister Denis Shankin. “I started planning the look of my book last week” said Susan Sharking as she lifted her book from the cutting mat and unfolded it – like an accordion – to display the ocean themed collage that filled the pages.

Gayle Byock, who had also attended previous workshops at Camera Obscura, cheerfully commented that she was making two concertina books for her grandsons, one red and the other orange. “Their favorite colors” she stated. Byock, drove from the Pacific Palisades to attend Disman’s workshop.

In the adjacent room, fellow artist-in-residence Huong Nguyen was setting up for her workshop which took place after Disman’s. Nguyen stated that, “it is hard not to be influenced by Debra, we share the same workspace. We use some of the same materials [paper, adhesives, and hand-tools] in our projects, but in very different ways.”

As the workshop came to a close, Disman highlighted some of the previously completed books, “we use an assortment of drawing papers and paperboards, including railroad board paper as well as with ribbons for decoration, and bone folders to help make crisp folds.” She then said that aside from cave paintings and scrolls, the concertina or fold book is “one of the oldest book formats.”

Disman concludes her artist residency in April at which point the “Big Beach Book” that she has been working on will be on display, it stands at six feet and opens to nearly 30 feet.

For more information about Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean visit www.smgov.net/Departments/CCS.

Denis Shankin and Ruth Michaelson swap stories while making their books.

 

 

 

 

 

Audrey Kopp and Gayle Byock place the finishing touches on their books.

 

 

 

 

 

Photos: Michael Ray.
<>Related Posts

Film Review: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

July 19, 2023

July 19, 2023

FILM REVIEWMISSION IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONERated PG-13163 MinutesReleased July 11th The story in this “Mission: Impossible” chapter, “Dead...

Film Review: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

July 5, 2023

July 5, 2023

FILM REVIEWINDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINYRated PG-13154 MinutesReleased June 30th The director of Indiana Jones and the Dial...

Film Review: Past Lives

June 27, 2023

June 27, 2023

FILM REVIEWPAST LIVESRated PG-13105 MinutesLimited Releases June 2nd and June 9th, Full Release June 23rd The Korean concept of “In...

Film Review: Sanctuary

June 8, 2023

June 8, 2023

FILM REVIEWSANCTUARYRated R96 MinutesReleased May 19th In my humble estimation, this is one of the best movies of the year....

Film Review: The Little Mermaid

June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

FILM REVIEWTHE LITTLE MERMAIDRated PG135 MinutesReleased May 26th With today’s technological developments, a live-action The Little Mermaid is not only...

A Riveting Revival of the Pulitzer Prize-Winning “A Soldier’s Play” Now Playing At The Ahmanson Theatre

May 31, 2023

May 31, 2023

On Stage With… Murder mysteries, whether cinematic or theatrical, are one of the most popular subjects. The list is quite...

Film Review: Chevalier

May 12, 2023

May 12, 2023

By Kathryn Boole  RATED PG-13107 MinutesReleased April 21, 2023 Chevalier is based on the true story of a historical figure...

Ballet at the Broad Stage Memorial Weekend – Meet the Talent!

May 10, 2023

May 10, 2023

Westside Ballet of Santa Monica returns to the Broad Stage with special guest artists kicking off Friday May 26th with...

Elizabeth McGovern Lights Up The Stage in “Ava – The Secret Conversations”

April 26, 2023

April 26, 2023

Play About Legendary Screen Star Runs Until May 14 At The Geffen Playhouse By Beverly Cohn Ava Gardner, born Ava...

Unconventional Art Festival “The Other Art Fair” Returns to Santa Monica This Weekend

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2023

140 independent artists, immersive installations, performances, DJs, and a fully stocked bar await visitors at Barker Hangar The Other Art...

Samohi Theatre’s “The Drowsy Chaperone” Takes the Stage in Santa Monica

March 1, 2023

March 1, 2023

Shows will take place at Barnum Hall on March 3 and 4 at 7 p.m. and March 5 at 3...

Film Review: “Marlow”

February 23, 2023

February 23, 2023

FILM REVIEW“MARLOWE”Rated R109 MinutesReleased February 15th “Marlowe” is a beautifully shot period piece that takes place in the late 1930’s....

Film Review: All Quite on the Western Front

February 22, 2023

February 22, 2023

I have never been a soldier at war, although I have close friends and relatives who have been. Universally they...

SMC Emeritus Concert Band to Hold Free Concert This Weekend at the Broad Stage

February 22, 2023

February 22, 2023

Concert February 26 will feature musical selections with an outdoor theme Santa Monica College’s Emeritus Concert Band, under the baton...